For while the Falcons boss was delighted at having England squad players Jamie Noon and Dave Walder back for the opening game against Saracens on September 14, he shared their bitter disappointment at not going to the World Cup.

Both Noon and Walder were among eight players released by Clive Woodward last night from the initial 43-player England squad. A further five cuts will have to be made next week when Woodward pares his squad down to 30.

"I released eight players earlier than I had originally intended in order to give the players as much notice as possible so they can return to their clubs and prepare for the Zurich Premiership season," explained Woodward.

"All eight players have been outstanding in their attitude on and off the field and I cannot speak highly enough of them and I would like to thank all of their clubs for their support in releasing the players and hope they have successful seasons."

With Jonny Wilkinson England's No 1 fly half, Walder's return to Kingston Park means the Falcons have a ready-made international replacement at No 10, while Noon's release couldn't be more timely as former All Black centre Mark Mayerhofler is struggling to recover from a torn calf muscle.

"I have said all along we were planning to start our season without five players on World Cup duty, Stuart Grimes and Andy Mower with Scotland and Jonny Wilkinson, Jamie Noon and Dave Walder with England and that if any of them were released it would be a huge bonus," said Andrew.

"But while the fact that both Jamie and Dave have been released is undoubtedly a major bonus to us, I share their disappointment at not being part of England's final World Cup squad as that would have been a great honour for the club as well as for themselves.

"Now we have just under two weeks to pick them up and fully integrate them back into our style of play before our opening game at Kingston Park against Saracens on September 14."